Kuo's warning is the latest hint that all is not well in Apple's sapphire glass production process. Earlier this week, an analyst from TrendForce claimed there simply isn't enough sapphire glass in the world at the moment for Apple to release as many iWatches as it would like to – even though Tim Cook's merry men have opened a new factory in Arizona dedicated to making the stuff.

This being Apple, there is every chance this policy could be deliberate. Your correspondent reckons the fruity firm might be interested in choking supply a little to build demand. Naturally, few advertising campaigns work as well as seeing shelves turned barren by the crazed attentions of Apple junkies seeking to get an iHit straight into their wrist.